Search Results

Economic Impact of Coronavirus Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Unemployment and Labor Force Information on the economic impact and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in Northern Virginia are found in the Economic Tracking Report. The tracking document includes data and trends on the labor force and unemployment. The report is updated following the monthly release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Local Area Unemployment Statistics .​ Economic Tracking Report Click on image for document Latest Version released: October 2, 2023 ​ Updates will occur within 3 business days after the following BLS scheduled release dates: September 27, 2023 (August 2023 data) November 1, 2023 (September 2023 data) November 30, 2023 (October 2023 data) State of the Region: Economic Recovery and Transformation from COVID-19 Pandemic Information on the state of the Northern Virginia region's economic recovery and the transformation from the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is found in the State of the Region July 2022 report. As society eases back to normalcy, people have been returning to the labor force, but – despite many people returning to the labor force and new entrants to the Northern Virginia labor force – there are currently not enough workers to meet the labor force demands across various industries in the region. The region’s labor force is significantly down from February 2020, there are a high number of job postings, and there is a low unemployment rate. The economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery has been uneven across industries and demographic groups in Northern Virginia. Understanding why the Northern Virginia region’s labor force has declined, why those people in Northern Virginia who left the labor force during the pandemic are not returning in full, and how to overcome a shortage of labor is critical to fostering an economy and community where residents and businesses can thrive. This report provides detailed information on these factors. Click on image for report Minority-Owned Businesses Minority-owned businesses have experienced heightened risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a complex effect on the region’s local economy and on the wellbeing of its minority-owned businesses. Northern Virginia is home to 128,000 minority-owned businesses, representing the community’s diverse fabric and entrepreneurship. The report on Supporting Northern Virginia's Minority-Owned Businesses was released on June 23, 2021. The report contains detailed information on the minority-owned business community, how they were impacted by the pandemic, and recommendations for supporting them through the pandemic economic recovery and in the future beyond the pandemic. The Northern Virginia Minority-Owned Working Group present this report. The group is composed of members from the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, Arlington Economic Development, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. ​ A report release webinar event was hosted on June 23, 2021 to highlight the report findings. The event also included other presentations, a fire side chat with leaders from across the region, and testimonies from minority business owners. For the video recording and details on the event see the NVRC demographic webinar series website . ​ Report: The report provides a Northern Virginia level of analysis on minority-owned businesses. Data Dashboard: The dashboard provides a summary of the report findings, interactive data charts, and more detailed information than that found in the report, including jurisdiction level data. ​ The dashboard will be updated on a quarterly basis by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Timeline of updates are found on the data dashboard. View Report and Data Dashboard Latest version released: June 8, 2022 Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Loans Small businesses have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a small business loan program enacted by Congress for relief from the COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout. Loans were distributed from April 3, 2020 through August 8, 2020. Nationally it provided $525 billion in forgivable loans for firms to cover payroll and some operational costs. The PPP Loans Dashboard contains a report summarizing how Northern Virginia businesses, localities, and industries fared with the loan program. The analysis utilizes the PPP loan database released on December 2, 2020 by the Small Business Administration. Click on image to go to dashboard

Workforce Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Labor Force and Unemployment Information on the economic impact and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in Northern Virginia are found in the Economic Tracking Report. The tracking document includes data and trends on the labor force and unemployment. The report is updated following the monthly release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Local Area Unemployment Statistics .​ Economic Tracking Report Click on image for document Latest Version released: October 2, 2023 ​ Updates will occur within 3 business days after the following BLS scheduled release dates: September 27, 2023 (August 2023 data) November 1, 2023 (September 2023 data) November 30, 2023 (October 2023 data) State of the Region: Economic Recovery and Transformation from COVID-19 Pandemic Information on the state of the Northern Virginia region's economic recovery and the transformation from the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is found in the State of the Region July 2022 report. As society eases back to normalcy, people have been returning to the labor force, but – despite many people returning to the labor force and new entrants to the Northern Virginia labor force – there are currently not enough workers to meet the labor force demands across various industries in the region. The region’s labor force is significantly down from February 2020, there are a high number of job postings, and there is a low unemployment rate. The economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery has been uneven across industries and demographic groups in Northern Virginia. Understanding why the Northern Virginia region’s labor force has declined, why those people in Northern Virginia who left the labor force during the pandemic are not returning in full, and how to overcome a shortage of labor is critical to fostering an economy and community where residents and businesses can thrive. This report provides detailed information on these factors. Click on image for report Minority-Owned Businesses Minority-owned businesses have experienced heightened risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a complex effect on the region’s local economy and on the wellbeing of its minority-owned businesses. Northern Virginia is home to 128,000 minority-owned businesses, representing the community’s diverse fabric and entrepreneurship. The report on Supporting Northern Virginia's Minority-Owned Businesses was released on June 23, 2021. The report contains detailed information on the minority-owned business community, how they were impacted by the pandemic, and recommendations for supporting them through the pandemic economic recovery and in the future beyond the pandemic. The Northern Virginia Minority-Owned Working Group present this report. The group is composed of members from the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, Arlington Economic Development, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. ​ A report release webinar event was hosted on June 23, 2021 to highlight the report findings. The event also included other presentations, a fire side chat with leaders from across the region, and testimonies from minority business owners. For the video recording and details on the event see the NVRC demographic webinar series website . ​ Report: The report provides a Northern Virginia level of analysis on minority-owned businesses. Data Dashboard: The dashboard provides a summary of the report findings, interactive data charts, and more detailed information than that found in the report, including jurisdiction level data. ​ The dashboard will be updated on a quarterly basis by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Timeline of updates are found on the data dashboard. View Report and Data Dashboard Additional Northern Virginia Workforce Data Resources The NOVA Workforce Regional Overview dashboard provides additional Northern Virginia workforce information, including industry and occupation. This dashboard is provided courtesy of Northern Virginia Community College .

Economically Disadvantaged Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Economically Disadvantaged Overall While Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, we must recognize that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in one of the most prosperous regions in the country. Poverty The Northern Virginia region has some of the highest household incomes in the United States. However, there are persons in poverty in the region, and their needs must be recognized and addressed. The poverty rates of all counties and cities in Northern Virginia are shown in the following graphs. The poverty rate is the ratio of the number of persons in poverty divided by the number of persons for whom poverty status was determined. Not everyone had their poverty status determined so this figure will be less than the total population. Poverty Rate - Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia's poverty rate is 5.8%, compared to 9.9% for Virginia and 12.6% for the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. Out of all 3,143 jurisdictions in the USA, two of the ten lowest poverty rates are located in the Northern Virginia localities of Falls Church (5th) and Loudoun County (10th). Loudoun County and Falls Church are also the first and second ranked for median household income, respectively. However, there are persons in poverty in Loudoun, Falls Church, and the rest of the region, and their needs must be recognized and addressed. Poverty Rate - Current One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates, of which there are 837 jurisdictions. The poverty rate, for those jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000 or more, is shown in this graph. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, one of the ten lowest poverty rates is located in the Northern Virginia locality of Loudoun County (7th). Loudoun County is also the number one ranked for median household income. However, there are persons in poverty in Loudoun and the rest of the region and their needs must be recognized. Poverty Rate - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia's poverty rate has experienced a similar pattern to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States over time. From 1999 to 2016 there was an increase in the percent of persons in poverty and then in the 2017-2021 period it dropped, but it was still above the lowest levels seen in 2000. Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. Poverty Rate - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The poverty rate patterns over time, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. The persons in poverty data has large year-to-year fluctuations due to being collected from a survey with a small sample size. The margins of error are large for the poverty one-years estimates, making any poverty trends undiscernible. The margins of error are displayed in the pop-ups, which appear when hovering over a bar in the graph. Because of the issues with the reliability of the one-year poverty estimates, it is strongly recommended that poverty rate 5-year estimates be used for all Northern Virginia jurisdictions and the region overall, when it comes to assessing trends, planning, and making policy decision. The American Community Survey 5-year estimates are available above and have a significantly larger sample size. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Expenditures The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expenditures in Northern Virginia are shown in this graph, including data through April 2023. Since 2011, the peak amount of expenditures was reached in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic downturn. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and its impact on the Northern Virginia region was significant from a health and economic stand point.

Foreign Born and Immigrants Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Foreign Born Population Overall The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is one of the most diverse in the country when taking into consideration the minority and foreign born (immigrant) population make-up. Northern Virginia contains a sizable amount of the metropolitan area's diverse population. The foreign born or immigrant population is transforming the region. Note, the terms foreign born and immigrant are used interchangeably throughout the NOVA Region Dashboard. It is immigration that has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region , including: School enrollment changes Sizable increases in the number of Hispanics and Asians Population growth Employment growth ​ Foreign Born Population Share - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The share of the population that is foreign born, for all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, is displayed in this graph. Northern Virginia's foreign born population share is 27.7%. All Northern Virginia jurisdiction's have a foreign born population share that is greater than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of all 3,143 jurisdictions in the USA, all are ranked #168 or higher. The region's highest ranked are Manassas Park City (8th), Fairfax County (23rd), and Fairfax City (29th), each of which have a greater foreign born population share than New York County, New York (Manhattan) (28.3% and 34th). Back in 2000, all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia had a foreign born population share that was less than Manhattan. These high ranks of the region's jurisdictions are indicative of a transforming region and the very diverse population of Northern Virginia and the DC metropolitan area. Foreign Born Population Share - Current One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates. The share of the population that is foreign born, for all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, is displayed in this graph. All Northern Virginia jurisdiction's have a foreign born population share that is greater than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, all are ranked #67 or higher, with the region's highest ranked, large jurisdiction being Fairfax County, ranked 18th with a foreign born population of 30.7%. Fairfax County has a greater foreign born population share than New York County, New York (Manhattan) (28.6% and 24th) and Orange County, California (30.2% at 19th). Northern Virginia's foreign born population share is 27.6%, which is only 1.0% less than Manhattan. Back in 2000, all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia had a foreign born population share that was less than Manhattan. These high and changing ranks for the region's jurisdictions are indicative of the very diverse population and a transforming region of Northern Virginia and the DC metropolitan area. Foreign Born Population Share - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates Immigration has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region. The foreign born population is transforming the region. Northern Virginia's population was 21.4% foreign born in 2000 and has risen to 27.7% (2017-2021 ACS 5Yr Estimate). Similar to today, back in 2000 all Northern Virginia jurisdictions had a foreign born population share that was greater than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. What is different is that all jurisdictions in the region, except Arlington, have seen their foreign born population share increase. The greatest transformations have occurred in the four outer-core jurisdictions of Loudoun, Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Prince William. The outer-core of the region accounts for a majority of the region's overall population growth, as indicated in the population growth charts . Foreign Born Population Share - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The foreign born population trend, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), is shown in the following graphs. The legal status of non-citizens is unknown and not collected by the U.S. Census Bureau in any of its data sets. Key Facts: ​ Loudoun and Prince William Counties have had significant increases and have trended upward in their foreign born population as a share of the total population from 2010 to 2022. ​ Fairfax County's foreign born population share trended up from 2010 to 2017 to a high of 32.1%. It has since trended down in Fairfax County to 30.7% in 2022. Alexandria and Arlington's foreign born populations have dropped since 2017 or 2018. These are all statistically significant drops. ​ Northern Virginia, as defined for this analysis using the region's five largest jurisdictions, experienced an increase from 2011 to 2017. The foreign born population share increased from 25.5% to 28.6% respectively. From 2017 to 2021 it trended down, reaching a low of 27.2% in 2021. The decline from 2017 to 2021 was a result of the 2016 to 2020 presidential administration's reforms to immigration policy, as well as the coronavirus pandemic which led to a drop in the region's population between 2020 and 2021 caused by out-migration of residents, higher death rates than normal times, and slowing immigration. In 2022 the pandemic was subsiding and immigration rebounded in the country, which led to higher population growth for immigrants in Northern Virginia compared to the previous year. This higher growth increased Northern Virginia's foreign born population share. ​ Between 2017 and 2022 the region's naturalized citizen population increased. The decrease in the overall foreign-born population can largely be attributed to the non-citizen populations migrating out of the area in greater amounts than naturalized citizens moving into the area. ​

Educational Attainment Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Educational Attainment Overall Northern Virginia localities are home to some of the most highly educated residents in the nation. This high education level of the region's citizens creates a strong, flourishing business community. The percentage of Northern Virginia's population age 25 or more holding a bachelor's or higher degree is 60.4%, which is nearly double the United States, and holding a graduate or professional degree is 29.4%, which is more than double the United States. Educational Attainment - Current Bachelor's or Higher Degrees - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The percentage of residents age 25 or more with bachelor's or higher degrees, for all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, are displayed in the following graph. Out of all 3,143 jurisdictions in the USA, six of the twelve highest ranked for the percentage of residents age 25 or more with bachelor's or higher degrees are located in Northern Virginia. Those include the City of Falls Church (1st), Arlington County (2nd), the City of Alexandria (4th), Fairfax County (6th), Loudoun County (7th), and the City of Fairfax (12th). Bachelor's or Higher Degrees - Current​ One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates. For those jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000, the percentage of residents age 25 or more with bachelor's or higher degrees is displayed in this graph. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, four of the top six for the percentage of residents age 25 or more with bachelor's or higher degrees are located in Northern Virginia. Those include Arlington County (1st), the City of Alexandria (2nd), Fairfax (3rd), and Loudoun (6th). Graduate or Professional Degrees - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The percentage of residents age 25 or more with graduate or professional degrees, for all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, are displayed in the following graph. Out of all 3,143 jurisdictions in the USA, six of the twenty highest ranked in the percentage of residents age 25 or more with graduate or higher degrees are located in Northern Virginia. Those include the City of Falls Church (1st), Arlington County (3rd), the City of Alexandria (6th), Fairfax County (9th), City of Fairfax (10th), and Loudoun County (19th). Overall, Northern Virginia's share is 29.4% for residents age 25 or more with graduate or professional degrees, which is well higher than Virginia and more than twice that of the USA. Graduate or Professional Degrees - Current One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates. For those jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000, the percentage of residents age 25 or more with graduate or professional degrees is displayed in this graph. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, four of the twenty highest ranked for the percentage of residents age 25 or more with graduate or professional degrees are located in Northern Virginia. Those include Arlington (1st), the City of Alexandria (3rd), Fairfax County (6th), and Loudoun County (16th). Educational Attainment - Historic Compared to Current Bachelor's or Higher Degrees - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia is one of the most educated places in the United States. The region's population has experienced an upward trend since 2000 to become even more and more highly educated than it already was. Northern Virginia's age 25 and over population holding bachelor's or higher degrees in 2000 was 50.7% and in the 2017-2021 period was 60.4%, compared to the United States which was 24.4% and 33.7% respectively. This strong growth in highly educated persons creates a strong, growing, and flourishing business community. Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. Bachelor's or Higher Degrees - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The trend in persons age 25 and over holding a bachelor's or higher degree, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. Key Facts: Northern Virginia, as defined for this analysis using the region's five largest jurisdictions, trended upward, increasing from an estimated 54.7% in 2010 to 62.9% in 2022. All of the region's five largest jurisdictions have trended upward since 2010 in their percentage with a bachelor's degree or higher. Arlington and Loudoun Counties have had the the greatest increases. Graduate or Professional Degree - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia's age 25 and over population holding professional and graduate degrees in 2000 was 22.1% and in the 2017-2021 period was 29.4%, compared to the United States which was 8.9% and 13.1% respectively. Northern Virginia's strong growth in highly educated persons creates a strong, growing, and flourishing business community. Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. Graduate or Professional Degree - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The trend in persons age 25 and over holding a graduate or professional degree, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. Key Facts: Northern Virginia, as defined for this analysis using the region's five largest jurisdictions, trended upward in the college educated population, increasing from an estimated 25.4% in 2010 to 30.8% in 2022. All of the region's five largest jurisdictions have trended upward since 2010in the percentage with a graduate or professional degree. Alexandria and Loudoun have had the the greatest increases.

Northern Virginia Regional Commission NOVA Region Dashboard Northern Virginia is one of the fastest growing, diverse communities in the United States. This dashboard is maintained by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and designed to provide basic information about our community, demographics, and the people who live and work here. The dashboard is best viewed on a desktop computer. If we can help you with your data needs, please give us a call at 703-642-0700 or send us an email . Home Reports/Resources 2020 Census Coronavirus People Education Economics

Education Overall About the Overall Education Data What is it that sets Northern Virginia apart from other places, that gives Northern Virginia its competitive edge, that makes it such a unique, dynamic and interesting place? It’s unparalleled human capital, the people who live here, work here, and come here from all corners of the globe. Proximity to the nation’s capital has transformed Northern Virginia and the entire Washington metropolitan area into one of America’s — and the world’s — most dynamic, fastest growing, economically advanced, highly-educated , prosperous, and culturally-diverse regions on the planet. The region has some of the top, most renowned public school systems in the nation. The quality of education in the region's public school systems draws numerous amounts of families to the region. The demographic, social, and economic profile of this region shows it.​ Educational Attainment Student Enrollment

Median Household Income Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Median Household Income Overall Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, including the county with the highest in the nation. High median household incomes coincide with the large, thriving business community of the Northern Virginia region. While the median household income is high, we must recognize that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in this prosperous region of the country and that high housing costs offset the high income when it comes to standards of living and well-being. ​ Median Household Income - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The Median household income of all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia is shown in this graph. The median household income of every Northern Virginia jurisdiction is higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of all 3,143 jurisdictions in the USA, four of the ten highest ranked for median household income are located in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Falls Church City (2nd), Fairfax County (5th), Arlington County (8th). Northern Virginia's median household income, at an estimated $132,128 (in 2021 dollars), is higher than 8th ranked Arlington, making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent region's of the USA. Median Household Income - Current ​ One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates. The median household income of jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000 or more is shown in this graph. The five largest jurisdictions of Northern Virginia all have incomes higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, three of the top fifteen highest income jurisdictions are located in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Fairfax County (4th), and Arlington County (13th). The median household income of Northern Virginia's five largest jurisdiction together is estimated to be $140,511 (in 2022 dollars), making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent areas of the USA. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates The greatest upward transformations in median household income, to levels well beyond inflation, have occurred in the Counties of Arlington and Loudoun and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church. One jurisdiction in the region, the City of Manassas Park, has seen its median household income not keep pace with inflation. All other regional jurisdictions have seen their median household incomes stabilize or remain steady over time when accounting for inflation. Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The median household income trend, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. Key Facts: There were dips in median household income in the early 2010s for some jurisdictions. The effects of the recession from 2007 to 2009 were still causing economic hardships and in 2013 there was federal sequestration when the federal government made large budget cuts. The Northern Virginia region is heavily dependent on the federal government for its economy, so job layoffs during sequestration impacted household incomes. ​ The COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, setting off a wave of demographic changes in the region and around the nation. Notably, NVRC research has shown that workers retired early but generally remained in the region, immigration slowed, and many young workers migrated out of the region to work remotely in places that have a more affordable cost of living. The impact of these shifts is evidenced by Northern Virginia's median household income having a downward trend from 2019 to 2022 after accounting for inflation. For several years leading up to the pandemic, the trend was upward after accounting for inflation. The decline in the region's median household income since 2019 and the pandemic is attributable to the higher level of out-migration of residents that the pandemic fueled in Northern Virginia. Those households that moved were primarily the region's moderate income households with workers in office jobs. This has much to do with the fact that the cost of living in the region is unaffordable not only for the low-income but also for many moderate-income families. Policy makers have given much attention to finding solutions and implementing programs for low-income, but the pandemic has manifested the need for middle-income housing and middle-income programs that will allow current and potential new households to afford to comfortably live and raise families in the region.

Foreign Born and Immigrants of Towns Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Foreign Born Population Overall ​The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is one of the most diverse in the country when taking into consideration the minority and foreign born (immigrant) population make-up. Northern Virginia contains a sizable amount of the metropolitan area's diverse population. The foreign born or immigrant population is transforming the region and many of it's towns. Note, the terms foreign born and immigrant are used interchangeably throughout the NOVA Region Dashboard. ​ It is immigration that has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region, including: School enrollment changes Sizable increases in the number of Hispanics and Asians Population and labor force growth About the Data and Data Interpretation Foreign born demographic data is sources from from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Decennial Census and the American Community Survey from 2006 to the present. All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the Decennial Census and five-year American Community Survey estimates, including incorporated towns. The American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Areas with small populations typically have a large margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small, while this is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. The ACS estimates for small places are deemed unreliable if the margin of error is large. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. ​ As seen in the population charts , as of 2020, 9 of the 14 incorporated towns in Northern Virginia had a population of less than 3,000, which is considered small. Due to the small size of many towns, the foreign born population data of small towns should be used with caution and the margin of error in the foreign born population should be taken into consideration. ​ A place is considered statistically similar to its characteristics of past years/periods if the margin of error causes the low and high range of today's estimate to overlap with the past years/periods. If the figures overlap, it cannot be said for certain that a figure is different than the prior year/period, even though the middle of the road estimate may be higher or lower. Estimates are considered statistically different if the estimate range does not overlap. Foreign Born Population Share - Current The region's highest ranked county/city is Manassas Park City, ranking 8th in the nation at 37.9%. The town of Herndon has a foreign born population share of 44.0% which is higher than Manassas Park City and it is a statistically significant difference from Manassas Park City. Towns that are estimated to have less foreign born population shares than the Commonwealth of Virginia are all located within rural Loudoun County (Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill), except for Clifton which is located in rural Fairfax County and Quantico which is located in a densely populated part of Prince William County. Note, the town of Hillsboro's 2017-2021 estimate is considered to be highly unreliable based on the large margin of error, and its large increase from prior five-year periods. Foreign Born Population Share - Historic Compared to Current Immigration has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region. The foreign born population is transforming the region. Northern Virginia's population was 21.4% foreign born in 2000 and has risen to 27.7% (2017-2021 ACS 5Yr Estimate). ​ ​Large transformations since 2000 have occurred in the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Occoquan, Purcellville, and Quantico. All of these incorporated towns are located in the outer-core, which is where the majority of the region's growth has occurred. Note, the town of Hillsboro's 2017-2021 estimate is considered very unreliable based on the large margin of error, and its large increase from prior five-year periods.

Data Reports and Resources Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Regional Fact Sheet Demographic and Economic Fact Sheet Updated September 18, 2023 (updated on a monthly basis) Download PDF ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Regional Reports and Studies Economic ​ Monthly Report ​ Economic Tracking Report Track numerous economic indicators, including labor force, unemployment, and industry sectors. For more information and to download the report see the Economics Overall - Workforce section of the NOVA Dashboard. ​ Special Report ​ State of the Region, Economic Recovery and Transformation from COVID-19 Pandemic - July 2022 A report on the state of the Northern Virginia region's economic recovery and the transformation from the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the report and to download a copy of the study see the Economics Overall - Workforce section of the NOVA Dashboard. ​​ ​ Immigration ​ One Region: Welcoming New Americans to Northern Virginia - March 2020 Report and Dashboard A study of the economic impact of immigrants to the region. Access the report and dashboard. One Region Addendum - October 2020 Report and Dashboard A study of the economic impact of immigrants relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis response. Access the report and dashboard . ​ ​ Minority-Owned Businesses ​ Supporting Northern Virginia's Minority Owned Businesses - June 2021 Report and Dashboard A study on the minority-owned business community, how they were impacted by the pandemic, and recommendations for supporting them through the pandemic economic recovery and in the future beyond the pandemic. For information about the study and to download a copy of the study see the Economics Overall - Workforce section of the NOVA Dashboard. ​ ​ ​

Population Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Population Overall Northern Virginia is on the front lines of a demographic transformation shaping the United States. There has been an extraordinary amount of population growth in Northern Virginia. In 2021, the Northern Virginia population was estimated to be 2,545,650 , an increase of 74% from 1990 when the population was 1,466,350. ​ The COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States in March 2020 and continued through 2022. It changed the country's demographic migration patterns significantly. It also significantly impacted births and deaths. Northern Virginia's demographics shifted greatly. From July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021, the nation's most populous areas, including Northern Virginia, experienced significant out migration and population declines. This was the first and only annual decline in Northern Virginia since the Census Bureau annual record keeping began in 1970, with a decline of an estimated 7,800 persons. From July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022, the growth patterns of the country and its counties "edged closer to pre-pandemic levels", according to the U.S. Census Bureau and Northern Virginia increased by 2,800. Annual Estimates Data Annual estimates of population paint a portrait of the annual growth patterns in the towns of Northern Virginia. Annual estimates are not based on a full census of the population. Rather they are estimates based on a compilation of multiple administrative data pieces such as birth records and residential building permits. The estimates are obtained from the U.S. Census, which benchmarks them to Decennial Censuses. Decennial Census data represents the population as of April 1 of the year, whereas the annual estimates are as of July 1 of each year. The 2020 to 2022 estimates are benchmarked to the 2020 Decennial Census. The 2010 to 2019 estimates are benchmarked to only the 2010 Decennial Census, and not both the 2010 and 2020 Decennial Census at this time. The 2020 Decennial Census data was released on August 12, 2021. Using the results of the 2020 Decennial Census, the annual estimates for 2010 to 2019 shown below will be adjusted later on by the U.S. Census Bureau in late 2022. Until the data is adjusted, the 2010 to 2019 data will not be consistent with the results of the 2020 Census. Key Facts: ​ 2020 to 2022 Annual Growth The COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States in March 2020 and continued through 2022. It changed the country's demographic migration patterns significantly. It also significantly impacted births and deaths. Northern Virginia's demographics shifted greatly. From July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021, Northern Virginia's population declined for the first and only time since Census Bureau annual record keeping began in 1970. It declined by an estimated 7,800 persons. Northern Virginia domestic out-migration contributed to Northern Virginia's population decline during the first year of the pandemic, along with a significant slow down in international migration and a significant increase in deaths. ​ From July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 four of Northern Virginia's nine jurisdictions experienced growth, those being the counties of Loudoun and Prince William and the cities of Fairfax and Manassas. These four jurisdictions are outer jurisdictions. Countrywide, suburban and rural areas received much of the out-migration from urban areas, which is the phenomenon Northern Virginia also experienced. ​ By 2022 Northern Virginia's growth returned, with the international migration being the greatest driver and natural change (births - death) being the other driver. ​ From July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022 the region edged closer to pre-pandemic growth patterns. Six jurisdictions experienced growth, and three declined in population. The three that had population declines were Manassas, Manassas Park and Fairfax. Fairfax's population decline continued but was almost half of the amount experienced at the beginning of the pandemic, indicating that the County was edging back to pre-pandemic levels when the county was annually experiencing population increases. ​ Natural Change: In U.S. counties, natural decrease was historically high in from 2020 to 2022. Natural decrease occurs when there are more deaths than births in a population over a given time period.* Northern Virginia had a natural increase of 19.5K from 2020 to 2021 and 16.5K persons from 2021 to 2022. This is less than pre-pandemic times, with natural increase ranging from 20,500 to 24,800 annually from 2011 to 2019. A large increase in deaths compared to the pre-pandemic times is what contributed to the change. Therefore, this phenomenon is believed to be temporary. Manassas Park is the only Northern Virginia jurisdiction that experienced a natural decrease (-16) from 2020 to 2022, meaning there were more deaths than births. ​ ​ Domestic Migration: Domestic migration patterns in the country shifted from 2020 to 2021. In many cases, there was a population shift from larger, more populous counties to medium and smaller ones. Many people moved during the pandemic when work-from home became widespread for office workers. This pattern reversed between 2021 and 2022. Many small counties slowed down in domestic migration, while many large counties increased in domestic migration.* Northern Virginia domestic out-migration had been occurring pre-pandemic, but during the pandemic years between 2020 to 2022 the annual domestic migration was nearly double pre-pandemic times. Northern Virginia has a large share of office jobs . Work-from home became widespread for office workers nationwide, leading to much domestic migration of office workers who transitioned to remote work from 2020 to 2022. Eight Northern Virginia jurisdictions had negative domestic migration. Only one jurisdiction had positive domestic migration and that one was the outer jurisdiction of Loudoun County. ​ International Migration: In 2022, positive for 78% of U.S. Counties, which was similar to 2021. However, international migration rebounded for the country, leading to significantly higher international migration level for counties.* Northern Virginia had a positive increase in international migration, with an increase of 23,000, nearly 2.5 times that in 2021. All nine Northern Virginia jurisdictions had a positive increase in international migration between 2020 and 2021 and between 2021 and 2022. ​ * Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Growth in the Nation's Largest Counties Rebounds in 2022 , Press Release, March 30, 2023. ​ 2017 to 2020 Annual Growth The annual growth from 2017 to 2020 had been the lowest since 2000. Growth from 2017 to 2018, 2018 to 2019, and 2019 to 2020 was estimated to be 14,300, 19,200, and 11,700 respectively. Two factors known to contribute to this during this period were the region's economic dependence on the federal government and immigrants.​​​​​ ​ ​The Washington metropolitan area has an economy that is heavily dependent on the federal government. When federal jobs are cut, federal contractor job cuts follow too. The presidential administration in office from January 2017 to January 2021 cutback federal jobs and federal contracting jobs until the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Federal employment (excluding contractors) in the Washington metropolitan region was 367,200 in 2016 prior to the new presidential administration. It dropped to 362,400 by 2019. In 2020 it improved to 369,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Slower population growth in Northern Virginia was in parallel with the federal workforce decline from 2017 to 2019. ​ ​ Immigrants have driven Northern Virginia's growth for the past two decades. In 2000, Northern Virginia's population was 21% foreign born and today it is estimated to be approximately​ 28% foreign born. International migration slowed significantly from 2017 to 2020. To put this into perspective, from 2013 to 2017 annual international migration into the region ranged from 20,300 to 23,300 people, while from 2017 to 2020 it ranged from 10,600 to 16,100 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For more information, see the NOVA Region Dashboard section on immigration in Northern Virginia . Decennial Census Data The Decennial Census is based on a survey of the entire population. It is conducted once a decade. The 2020 Decennial Census population was released on August 12, 2021. The Decennial Census regional, county, and city population data is shown in the interactive charts that follow. Key Facts: ​ Decennial Growth In 2020, Northern Virginia's population was 2,550,337 according to the Decennial Census. The population increased from 1,466,409 in 1990, a 74% increase in the 30 year period from 1990 to 2020. Northern Virginia added approximately 320,000 people in this past decade, 2010 to 2020. This is 96,000 or 23% less than the previous decade, signaling a significant slowdown in the pace of growth. However, growth still continues at a high amount. Virginia’s population grew by 630,369 from 2010 to 2020, of which 50.7% of that growth was in Northern Virginia. I​​n 2020, 29.5% of Virginia’s population was in Northern Virginia, compared to 27.9% in 2010. Growth peaked in 2010. Growth in Northern Virginia has slowed since 2010. It has trended down annually since 2010, but it is still large and impactful growth that the the region is facing. The localities in Northern Virginia the growth is occurring in this decade is different in some ways than in the 1990s and 2000s. The preponderance of population growth of Northern Virginia continues to be located in the outer-ring suburbs of Prince William, Loudoun Counties, and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. However, the share of the region's growth that is in the outer-ring has dropped from 65.1% in the 2000 to 2010 period to 61.5% in the 2010 to 2020 period. Arlington has seen its share of the region's growth more than double from what it experienced in the 2000's. Alexandria has seen its share of the region's growth become 2.2 times what it experienced in the 2000's. Intensification of developmental pressures this decade in the inner-core is a response to the millennial generation preferences, demographics, urbanization, transportation and other market pressures. ​ Inner Outer Ring

Coronavirus Demographics Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Cases and Vaccine Demographics VDH maintains a dashboard on case demographics. View VDH's Case and Vaccine Demographics Dashboards . ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​